In Lost Dreams the Four Were Bound

50 - Neris - Loose Ends Need Tying

"I know what you're thinking, ne vindal," Kadin said as he stood beside the door, his eyes heavy with sleep and stress.

"I doubt it, but feel free to dream, vivahr Kadin." Neris was not her usual quick-witted self.

Seeing Elis crumple under the weight of losing her daughter was one thing, but seeing her have to relive it one more time after a night of hysterics and powerful drugs was another. She had worried she would have to sedate her lover again. In part, she was amazed at how well Elis kept herself together. Neris had misjudged her, but that only made it harder.

"You're worried about the woman and want to help, but I can read it by the hackles on your neck that you think something bad is bound to happen. Something much worse." Kadin was vile but accurate.

Without Elis nearby, Neris's mind was left to wander. Whatever had caused Davnian to disappear was still at large. In that same vein, whatever had dealt them their cards likewise was involved with the girl's death. And if it was Nerin or his imaginary friend--no, if it was this sorcerer Ohran—then what else could they be planning? The ceremony was coming as dawn drew closer. Soon the sun would rise above the horizon, and the people would gather the final implements for Nerin's proposed ritual and progression. In her gut, Neris knew that if that came to pass, whatever her brother and his shadow master were planning would come to fruition. The notion they needed Davnian removed made it that much worse.

"Did you ever take the opportunity to read any of Hyun's old journals?" Neris asked, recalling her early morning talk with Davnian as he poured over the ancient woman's work.

"I peeked from time to time, but I can scarce read as it is, and the woman's inkings were too archaic for my sensibilities." No doubt, Kadin was unique among his kind. Neris had not met a soul who kept a note other than herself, her brother, and Elis. The fact the man could read at all was astounding. "Why do you ask?"

"She talked about gathering all the Emri together for a great ritual to summon the strength of the forest to push back their foes." Neris remembered the tale, wondering what thoughts were coursing through Davnian's head when he read it. The part she had noted was the nectar. "In the tale, four nectar maidens were selected, each from one of the chieftains of the people. With the blessing of the talvuo, they drank together and took a solemn vow to protect the woods and drive off their invaders. Or so the woman wrote."

"Four nectar maidens?" Kadin chuckled. "So, your dark brother is trying to emulate the old hag's enchantment then?"

"Davnian believed Nerin was emulating whatever ritual she had performed. In Hyun's story, there were four sacrifices and four calamities."

"You're speaking about things far beyond my realm of understanding, vindal Neris." Kadin rolled his eyes and shook his head.

"Mine as well, though I'm merely relaying. He said something was clinging to everyone here. A ghost. A shade. Those shades were always with them, crying, screaming." Neris felt Kadin's gaze fix on her as she continued to think. "He said the scales had to be balanced."

"Now you're talking ghost stories," Kadin said nervously, chuckling at her suspicions. "Next thing you're going to tell me something's going to climb up out of the ancient tree."

"Why would you say that?"

"Wait, what?" Kadin asked, suddenly aware of his utterance.

"You're hiding something, aren't you, Kadin?"

"I . . ." the weaselly talvuo looked like he was trying to find a way to undo his slippage, but Neris's cold red orbs were vicious as she beckoned him to continue. He sighed. "Because there's a place down there that few know about."

"Go on."

"I know you rarely visit the bottom level of the great tree. You tend to prefer the other paths and rounds to reach the forest floor. But at the bottom of the great round is a passage that leads farther down. Far into the earth."

"I've explored the tree, Kadin. There's nothing down there but a gate to the forest floor," Neris replied, leaning back against the wall.

"That's because until your brother showed up, that was indeed the case. Then when your brother is away, it all but disappears. I had to double-check myself, but one evening, there it was. A sticky sap-covered road to somewhere below all this. It's where he took the maidens on those sordid nights. And when he returns, it vanishes."

"Are you saying all the nectar maidens . . ."

"Every single one he's had taken down into those depths. Only the tightest-lipped of his goons have dared venture with him. I must admit, the very thought of treading into that place makes my knees shake. It's like a thousand tiny voices telling me no."

"Are you sure about all of this?" Neris asked, her face filling with anger. To think she had ignored her brother's late-night forays for so long. To think she had missed it somehow.

"Yes," Kadin said, nodding.

"If there is such a place, I'm willing to bet Davnian is down there," Neris reasoned. Unless she had taken to the forest floor for the deed, it wouldn't make sense. "You say it only opens when my brother is around?"

"That is my understanding, ne vindal," Kadin said. "Given that look in your eye, it seems you want to go rushing in. How very unlike you, vindal Neris."

"You're right in that I would rather rush in," Neris said, cursing beneath her breath and then inhaling deeply to ease herself. Fixing her gaze on Kadin, she cooled her expression. "I'm not one to just up and show my hand, vivahr Kadin. Even if it pains me to wait."

"For a promise of compensation, I could go on ahead and look for you." Kadin shot her a sly look. "Of course, it'd be on my terms this time."

"As much as I want to tempt you into losing your head, it'd be better if we waited," Neris said, waving him off. "If you go alone, you're likely to get waylaid by whatever is hiding down there."

"It's either that or we wait till the masses start to congregate. By then, we may be too late." Kadin looked to the main door, watching as the dim light outside began to glow with orange and golden rays. "Though now that you say it, I really would hate to throw myself into danger. If only things were still simple, I could be enjoying another drunken dullard stumbling back bowlegged."

"And here I was beginning to think your cruelty was just a device." Neris shot him a glance as she lowered herself to the floor.

"You should try to get some sleep," Kadin said, also taking a seat. Stretching his legs out, he turned to Neris. "I'm sure Elis will fetch you before too long."

"I'm sure she will." Neris sighed, the faint sound of sobs coming from the wall behind her.

"Would you like a blanket or some clothes, vindal?"

Neris yawned, her eyes heavy. "I'll change in a bit. Thank you, dear."

"Well, sleep well when you get there," Kadin said mockingly, tilting his head back against the door.

Neris took a deep breath and closed her eyes. The cold air licked her skin as the feeling of morning humidity clung to her arms and legs. Bringing her legs to her chest, she leaned over herself, supporting her head atop her knees. Padded by her slender arms, Neris took another deep breath, waves of drowsiness overtaking her.