Page 45 of Legacy of the Heirs
Elisara
Elisara thought of the last time she had seen Talia before awaking in Keres to find her there with Helena and Vigor. Had it really been that night at the springs after risking Helena’s life? She had not even addressed those events with Talia as Helena advised. Everything had been a whirlwind since, one she could not escape. She wished she had not left Garridon so soon so she could spend more time with Helena and Vigor, who were the most hurt by Talia’s betrayal. Given that Elisara and Vlad lived at the castle, the trio often spent the most time together. Although Elisara had offered for Helena and Vigor to journey back to Vala with her, the pair decided to stay and offer aid in Antor’s infirmary.
How had she not anticipated Talia’s betrayal? Elisara could hardly trust her own judgement. Sensing his presence in the periphery of her mind, she waited for Kazaar to speak. She had misjudged him, too.
“Ouch.”There he was. Elisara glanced at Kazaar atop his horse as the two rode side by side. The wall of the Neutral City rose high behind him, but they continued riding until light snow soon dusted the cobbled path. She tried to return his smile, but he was merely another reminder of the many secrets that had been kept from her. His face changed. He had heard that thought, too.
“Why can I not hear your thoughts as easily as you hear mine?” she asked aloud, and he shrugged.
“I have lived a harder life than you. Perhaps I protect myself without even realising.” Although his tone was nonchalant, it made Elisara question what had been so hard about hislife. He winced. She really needed to keep her thoughts to herself. “I see it as a wall in my mind,” Kazaar continued. “A physical, iron-clad wall preventing anyone from entering. You should find something similar.”
Elisara pondered that. She had fortified her emotional walls for years after training in Keres, so why was this any different? “Because someone is chipping away at it.”
She glanced at Kazaar again, her eyes scanning over him, instinctively checking the wound on his back to ensure it had not reopened. She thought back to the attack and how their blood and bodies responded to one another. They had endless questions to find the answers to without a spare second to do so, not with Larelle missing and their quest to find the talismans.
The weather shifted as they continued riding until exiting the ring around the Neutral City to be welcomed by Vala’s icy air. It felt different. While Elisara still relished the cold, her body seemed less accustomed to it when it pierced her skin. It was likely due to her long absence from home, she thought, though she was pleased to be back. The snow-capped trees bordering Vala formed a clear line of defence but instead of riding towards Asteria, they took a left alongside Nerida’s river, the snowy trees on their right.
Elisara and Kazaar had quickly deduced where the second half of the talisman was likely to be hidden. Immediately, their minds went to locations in Vala that were well-guarded and difficult to approach alone to prevent the monarch from pursuing the talisman to gain more power.
The Vellius sea soon appeared as they journeyed through the snow-capped trees, the opposite watchtowers on the outskirts of Marnovo offering a clear view of the small island surrounded by dark waters. The morning after the attack, Elisara sent Vlad ahead of them to alert Marnovo’s guards to set up base at the edge of the lake to keep watch until their queen arrived. Elisara stayed in Garridon an extra night to attend the service held for all those lost during the attacks. A pang of sympathy had flitted through Elisarawhen she watched Caellum speak, who often paused to clear his throat and struggled to make eye contact with his people. She knew he had been trying not to cry at all the loss.
Vlad had made it in good time. As Elisara trotted through the trees, the late afternoon sun broke free across the lake, highlighting the pale blue tents set up meters from the water’s edge. Vlad emerged from the one closest with two guards in tow. Elisara had requested a small, discrete group of guards to assist to minimise the risk of anyone discovering what they were looking for or why. It was also why Elisara and Kazaar journeyed from Garridon alone, because even though Kazaar’s secrets hurt Elisara, she still trusted him with her safety.
“You made it in good time.” Vlad reached for the reins of Elisara’s horse as she dismounted and embraced him. When they pulled apart, Vlad offered Kazaar a curt yet respectful nod as he, too, dismounted and took Elisara’s horse, guiding the steeds to the lake to drink.
Elisara tried to focus on Vlad as he spoke, but her eyes followed the movement of Kazaar’s arms as he stabbed the ice at the edge of the lake to gather water for the horses, the muscles in his back and shoulders rippling with each thrust. Kazaar tilted his head towards her, and she blushed, turning her back on him. “You could have just melted it.”
“And miss the opportunity of your eyes on me?”His voice teased her mind, and she rolled her eyes, refocusing on Vlad.
“Did anyone ask about this mission?” she asked, but the captain shook his head, strands of golden hair falling before his face. It had not been cut for months, and his appearance was far different from his pristine portrayal when her parents were his employer.
“If you request something by order of the queen, people tend to do as you ask,” he chuckled, his breath rising in plumes. “Although, the guards appeared wary. They say odd noises have been coming from the lake at night.” Elisara frowned but brushed it off, assuming it was the wind whistling through the trees and over theice.
“How do you think we should proceed?” she asked. Vlad crossed his arms, looking out over the Vellius Sea. Elisara turned with him. While the dark waters lapped in the distance on Nerida’s side of the border, Vala’s side was completely frozen, a glittering surface that welcomed adventure. Very few people, except those from Vojta and Marnovo, made the effort to visit the lake, too enticed by the hot springs in the capital. As a child, her father would tell her stories of children mysteriously disappearing when they visited alone. Now, though, Elisara knew it was likely a tale to keep her from foolishly trying to cross it, as they now planned to do.
“It is risky to walk across, and although the commander could melt it, we would then waste more time dragging the boats from Vojta.” Vlad rubbed the stubble on his chin. “If we stay overnight and start first thing in the morning, it should be cold enough for the lake to further solidify, making it sturdier for us at dawn.”
Elisara nodded. “I could probably reinforce it with my power, but I am uncertain how big of a surface area I could freeze.” Her eyes tugged on Kazaar, who allowed the horses to roam as he approached the pair.
“I am sure you could probably freeze a fair amount of it, but Vlad’s plan allows for added safety,” Kazaar agreed. “If we begin at sunrise, it should be cold enough to attempt walking across the lake to the island.”
Elisara rocked back and forth on her heels, her cloak scraping across the snow as she tried to ignore the tingling of her skin at the closeness of his presence.
“I will continue readying the tents and then get to work on some dinner.” Vlad began to walk back towards the tents and the guards he brought with him before pausing and glancing back. “Oh, I forgot to mention,” he said. “Marnovo only had two other tents to hand, so Elisara can have one and Kazaar, I’ll bunk with you.”
“No,” Kazaar said quickly, and Vlad stopped. Elisara glanced between them both. “Given the recent attack, it is unsafe for our queen to sleep alone. I will stay in her tent.” His voice left no room for negotiation. Elisara crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes at Kazaar, who raised his eyebrows in challenge. Vlad looked between them both, struggling to hide his smile.
“As you wish, Commander.” Vlad bowed mockingly before walking off.
Elisara spun to face Kazaar, so they stood toe to toe. “And what if I do not wish to share a tent with you while I sleep?”
“You were asleep for nearly two days while I stayed beside you. You had no problem then,” he countered. His breath mingled with hers, creating a fog in the breeze.
“That is different! I did not know you were there,” she said, and Kazaar rolled his eyes, taking three steps back. He grinned.
“If you can best me in a fight, you will have it your way.”
Not one to back down from a challenge, especially not from him, Elisara unsheathed the dull sword at her side. She recalled the last time they had fought with swords when he had invited her to Vala’s training yards. She had kept up then, and she would now.
