The Wielder and the Source

Chapter 32

"Why only me?" she asked in a whisper, as though someone was eavesdropping.

"Because it only concerns you. And others may make negative assumptions based on what I'm about to tell you."

They continued their journey in silence, only stopping when they reached a greener bit of forest downwind, where the air was cleaner. Kitaya summoned the box and rifled through for her tent. The map was still in their bags and the Stone Viper, and hopefully Aldeheid was there with them. If not, Jayer would have to get creative.

"Have a seat." Fukami took the tent from her hands and began pitching it with quick, efficient movements. Then he zoomed off into the forest and came back with armfuls of firewood they wouldn't need for at least a few hours. "Is there anything else we'll need? Should I procure nourishment?"

She brought her knees to her chest and wrapped her arms around her legs. "I suppose." She felt so small and helpless, like a lost child. Her strength alone wasn't going to find Aldeheid, and she couldn't expect everyone to drop what they were doing and help her.

"Kitaya." Fukami waited until she met his eyes to continue. "We're going to find him. I promise."

"What is it you wanted to talk to me about?" Kitaya unstrapped Aldeheid's sword from her back and laid it across her lap. The gildings on the sheath winked in the sunlight filtering through the trees.

He folded his legs up and floated on the air. "It's about the Vidaldi, actually. And I'll ask that you don't share this information with anyone you don't trustwhole-heartedly."

She frowned but nodded her head in agreement.

"Good." Fukami brushed his glossy hair away. "Amongst the Vidaldi, magicians outnumber capes one hundred to one. This is because it's mandatory for their capes to enduresomething called the ritual of thirteen. If the cape survives the ritual, they'll be able to use their own magic."

A ripple of cold passed over Kitaya, raising gooseflesh on her skin. Her mind went back to the night she and Aldeheid stood on the mountain peak near her home. The flash of gold, her shock. She was always sure there were other capes like her, but amongst these masked degenerates was the last place she'd expected to find them.

"For the ritual to be successful, a certain conditions must be met. First the cape must be isolated – no other magicians or capes can be around. Second, the magic in their bodies must be at critical levels. And third, they must be left alone. Then they fall into a death-like sleep for thirteen years and emerge with magic as golden as sunlight. I'm guessing you met these conditions." Fukami arched a brow at her.

"I did..." Kitaya would never forget that night, the searing pain, feeling as though she was being burned from the inside out. The fact thatother capes were forced to go through that... It was hard to process.

"Then consider yourself a very lucky cape Kitaya. Only one in one hundred survive the ritual."

She'd always wanted to know why she was... the way she was. How she'd survived. But this wasn't the answer she wanted. This answer made her sick to her stomach. "And they're forced to do it? Why?"

"The Vidaldi believe that relying on others is a shortcoming, so the very concept of the bond is not welcomed in their cult. I suppose it's not something that we, from the outside looking in can comprehend. But I'm sure it makes perfect sense to them."

She understood now why the gods renounced them as their disciples.

"With any luck, the Vidaldi may show their faces again. Then we can wring some answers out of them." Fukami smiled, as though imagining himself in the act.

As much as Kitaya wanted to wring some necks herself, doubt dulled her conviction. "Are you sure you want that? They seem more dangerous than we initially thought."

"But you have me here." He made a grand gesture and floated off the ground, leaves swirling around him, divine in all his godly glory.

That got a small smile out of her. "Thank you, Fukami."

***

It wasn't until five hours had passed that Jayer and Jetei arrived at their camp. The former looked as though he were about to fall over, while the latter held Kitaya and Aldeheid's bags on his shoulders. But there was no Aldeheid in sight. Fukami had flown off to investigate the area some more, and search for any leads on the Vidaldi.

Jayer took a seat on the box and winced, clutching his side. "Sorry that took so long. Stealing your bags was trickier than I thought it would be."

Kitaya had been doing the mental equivalent of holding her breath since they'd dropped him off outside of the town. Now that she could finally, exhale, she felt utterly deflated. He was gone. They had. They were probably torturing him while she sat around doing nothing.

"I'm sorry Kitaya." Jayer looked away and ran a hand through his hair. "We asked around, and no one has seen him since you left the town last night. There are bets on whether he'll return in a week's time. That's usually when they know if someone is coming back or not."

Kitaya fisted her hands in her hair. What were they going to do now? She didn't even know where to start. Where to look.

Jetei set their bags next to the box. "There's always the possibility that the Vidaldi are holding him hostage somewhere."

"Then if we find them, then we find him. But how...?" Jayer placed his hands on top of his head, and Kitaya could see the cogs in his head turning.

"What about Mellidius?" Jetei asked.

Kitaya scowled. "We don't have time to worry about that idiot when Aldeheid is missing."

"Easy." He held his hands up. "Just hear me out here. You and Aldeheid came out here looking for him. We saw the wanted poster in the inn. We were told that the people who chase his bounty don't live to tell the tale. And I'm speculating here, but what if he's mixed up with the Vidaldi somehow?"

Jayer nodded. "That's an excellent point. You too coming here to look for him, then the Vidaldi showing up can't be a coincidence. I know what we'll do. Jet and I will replicate what you and Aldeheid did."

Kitaya took a moment to process their theory. It made sense. Perhaps that was why Mellidius never returned home. Just as she thought; he'd gotten mix up in some nonsense and couldn't face Eriani. "You should head back to town then. Fukami and I will continue to comb the area. Meet us back here at nightfall."

Jayer nodded his ascent.

"And Jayer?"

He raised an eyebrow.

"Thank you."