Chapter 9: Uncertain Paths

LYDIA

Lydia stood in awe as she found herself in the opulent private study of Chancellor Agatha Alastair, one of the most powerful politicians in all of Ignolia.

The ceiling was so high that she imagined clouds forming in the corners. Books lined the built-in library walls—so many that Lydia couldn’t believe anyone ever had the time to read them all.

A roaring fireplace was located directly behind Alastair’s giant mahogany desk. Flames curled up, lapping at the stone hearth. It cast the chancellor in a majestic yet foreboding light as she sat in her chair.

“There were only two Royals?” she asked.

“Thank the Gods there were only two,” said Marsie. “If there were more, we would be nothing more than burned shadows in the sand.”

The rest of the search party nodded their heads in confirmation. Redmond was already beginning to look better, though. Upon their entrance to the chancellor’s mansion, he’d been given a potion that instantly healed several of his cuts and bruises.

Dorian and Marsie looked no worse for wear…those types of battles seemed to give them more life than could ever be taken away. Lucius was finally sobered up, but she couldn’t say the same for his mood. He hated official meetings of any type—and the frown on his face showed it.

“This does sound troubling,” Alastair murmured.

“Despite our failure to stop Evine, we were able to save the locals,” Marsie added. “Our group fought valiantly.”

The chancellor nodded her head but failed to respond otherwise. She was lost deep in thought.

“If it’s possible, your excellency,” Lydia said, stepping forward. “I’d like to ask for extra funds to help the villagers of Ulu be relocated.”

Alastair’s contemplative eyes fell on Lydia. The weight of her gaze was enough to make the Slifer step back into the shadows. But Lydia took a deep breath and held her head high. She had every right to be a part of this conversation. Her actions had proven as much.

“Lydia Voltaire,” the chancellor said. “Marsie mentioned that you fought for a place on the search party.”

Lydia was too dumbstruck at being singled out to speak. She nodded her head anxiously, trying not to seem too eager.

“For that I’m glad,” Alastair said, smirking. “It seems as though you willingly risked your life for people you’ve never met…you all did.”

Alastair looked from one member of the group to the other, but her eyes came back to Lydia in the end. She smiled at the Fire Slifer and nodded her head almost imperceptibly.

~Is she impressed with me?~ Lydia thought as her stomach knotted itself three times over. ~I think the chancellor is impressed with me!~

She was so excited that she wanted to turn into a ball of fire and fly around the room to burn off some of this adrenaline. But she suppressed the urge and simply smiled back at the chancellor.

~We did well,~ she thought, ~now if we can just bring down Evine and Uzier.~ She shook away the rest of her thoughts. They’d already found them. It wasn’t enough for Lydia, but it would have to do for now.

“I’m glad you’re doing much better, young Redmond,” Alastair continued. “And I promise the people of your kingdom will be compensated for these cruel actions against their homes, family, and friends.”

“Thank you, your excellency,” Redmond said with a bow. Twenty minutes ago, he would have cringed and ached from such movement, but he was nearly back to full health already.

Movement in her periphery caught Lydia’s attention. She looked over to find Lucius giving her a nearly sober wink. It was nice to finally have some gratification from her peers and elders. It meant the world to Lydia knowing that others believed in her so much.

“Thank you,” Chancellor Alastair said. “I have much to ruminate on before making any further decisions. You are all dismissed. And for the sake of the Gods, please, get some rest.”

***

Lydia stepped inside her quarters to the smell of fresh lavender and peppermint. Fresh sheets had been placed on her bed along with a small note that sat on her pillow. She opened it up and giggled at the inscription:

~These sheets have been soaked in a fireproof dye. Burn to your heart’s content!~

She wanted to take a bath and wash away the filth of her day, but instead plopped face-first onto the bed. So much for fresh sheets…

It was too much to pull her tired, aching body from the comfort of her bed. Her muscles felt like mush, and each breath was an effort in itself. Not to mention the day’s actions and revelations kept playing over and over again in her mind.

Finding Gabriel and witnessing his intentions to put a bolt of shadow through her heart was enough to crush even the strongest will. But Lydia couldn’t shake away certain memories about the altercation.

~The green gem glowing on his forehead...the same one that Queen Adria wore as she destroyed the city with her bare hands…~

Something was terribly off. Gabriel wouldn’t do such horrible things to innocent people. And Queen Adria wouldn’t willingly demolish her own kingdom. Not unless outside forces were at play…

She needed more answers if she was ever going to find peace that night. Lydia shot up in bed and looked at her nightstand. There sat the Book of Decimus, with its dark red cover and unmistakable “S” symbol—just like the one on her wrist.

Lydia closed her eyes and placed her fingers at her temples. She tried to summon her father—Decimus—by thinking of his name, the same way she had summoned him before. Opening an eye a moment later, she noticed the room was exactly the same.

~Come on, Dad! I really need some advice,~ she thought desperately.

Taking a breath and letting her tension subside, she tried again. This time there was a wind of change in the room. Her eyes opened to subtle but undeniable differences.

A candle on the nightstand had flickered to life. Its flame burned brighter than any ordinary wick should allow. The Book of Decimus glowed faintly red, and when she looked at her arm, the “S” symbol glowed as well.

~WHOOSH!~

A flourish of flame from the corner of the room caught her attention. Lydia jumped up from the bed and spotted her father standing on the far side of the room.

“It’s good to see you again,” Decimus greeted her. “I was wondering when you would need some advice.”

She rushed forward and hugged the God of Fire. Only after wrapping her arms around him did she realize how unexpected this had been.

Her worries subsided a little as Decimus returned the hug, engulfing her in his massive arms. She closed her eyes and breathed in the faint smell of sulfur and, oddly, wildflowers.

Lydia

Hugging the God of Fire? Damnit! Why can’t I keep my emotions in check!

Decimus

Because even the gods can have feelings.

Lydia

Holy hell! You’re reading my thoughts!

Decimus

Of course. I am a God…now, tell me why you’ve summoned me.

She finally pulled away from him and sat down on the edge of the bed. Decimus took a few steps closer but remained standing. It had been too much to hear her father’s voice inside her head.

She needed to think clearly—and hearing his unspoken words made everything more muddled.

“I don’t know what to do,” Lydia began. “We finally found Gabriel and Adria, but they weren’t the same.”

Decimus nodded his head as Lydia spoke, but didn’t answer. She knew it would be hard to pry information from a God, but if she was ever going to find any answers, it was a necessary chore to undertake.

“They destroyed a small village. It was so unlike them. I can’t help but think they’re under some sort of mind control,” she continued. “Please, tell me what’s happening!”

Decimus grinned at his daughter but shook his head. “Sadly, I cannot see into the future.”

Lydia’s jaw dropped. An all-knowing God lacking in knowledge? Yet another thing that made absolutely no sense…

“I thought all Gods could see into the future,” she said in disbelief. “Is this some sort of test? If so, I don’t want to take it.”

“I wish it were,” Decimus said sadly. “But because of the way events have unfolded—the kidnapping of the Royals when they should have been safe—the future is filled with dark clouds that even I cannot part.”

“What do you mean the Royals should have been safe?” she asked, confused.

“It was not fated for them to be taken, at least, not from what we had seen before,” Decimus replied. “Evine and Uzier bypassed fate and took the future of your world into their own hands.”

“How?” Lydia gawked. It seemed nearly impossible for two people, no matter how powerful, to take the reins of destiny.

“I don’t know,” Decimus admitted. “But my guess is probably blood magic.”

Lydia nodded her head in understanding. Of course those fiends would stoop to such subterranean levels to bring their darkest desires to life.

“So, what should we do now?” Lydia asked, feeling dumbfounded by these revelations.

Decimus shook his head. “The path ahead is uncertain. Unfortunately, it is not for the Gods to interfere in the lives of their subjects—daughters included.”

“Fantastic,” Lydia said, gritting her teeth.

“I wish you the best,” Decimus replied. “And I have faith that you will look inside your heart and do what is best for your people.”

Lydia wanted to remind Decimus that as a God, they were his people as well. But with a puff of smoke, the God of Fire was gone.

The Fire Slifer fell back onto her bed, feeling the full weight of their conversation. If even the Gods had trouble seeing the future, then how would she know what to do next?

She would never give up on trying to save Gabriel. But Decimus’s revelation made it that much harder for her to know how it would all work out in the end.

Tears formed in her eyes and fell down her cheeks. Now that she was totally alone, it was alright to release her emotions. Decimus could have as much faith in her as he wanted, but for tonight, what little faith Lydia usually had was now completely drained.

Footsteps outside the door forced Lydia to bolt upright. She wiped madly at her cheeks, feeling them beginning to chafe from rubbing away her tears.

A faint knock sounded at her door.

“Go away,” Lydia said.

“I’m sorry to bother you,” Dorian’s voice replied, “but there’s something urgent that needs your attention.”

~What now?~ she thought, angrily. ~Can’t I just be left alone?~

Dorian cleared his throat and tried one more time, “It would be best if you came immediately.”