Justice by Rhiannon Paille Page B

towards the lake. His feet shuffled across the dry cracked ground as he trailed along the unnatural path the foe made through the forests. His thoughts were a muddle of worry and anguish. Those moments of happiness were all he had left of her, but the truth was she told him everything she knew about the Flames.
    He coughed, doubling over hacking and wheezing. He wrapped his arms around his chest and coughed deeply. A spatter of blood splashed onto the ground and he stared at the little red droplets. He bent down and touched them with his fingers, curious of what it meant. The aching on the inside turned to stabbing pain and he collapsed. His head hit the soft grass of Nandaro, the land belonging to Avristar, and drew an exasperated breath. The coughing ceased as he grabbed at the grass and pulled his body off the path. He lay there, allowing the symptoms to pass.
    The waters calm me.
    Kaliel’s voice pierced his thoughts and pushed himself to his feet, stalking towards the lake. When he broke through the trees he stopped. His knees fell onto a grassy patch above the gargoyle’s cave. He looked at the sandy beach below. The sky was unpleasant. Black clouds drifted across it, obscuring the stars. He wanted to see it the way she had, but all he saw was that nothing was perfect anymore.
    His face fell into his hands as he realized no matter what happened next, she would never come back to him. He let the grief wash over him as his heart enflamed with pain. He failed her, and she saved him. She wanted him to live so badly she was willing to do anything to make it happen. A cool breeze ran across the lake and escaped into the trees. Krishani shuddered as he moved his gaze to the boat. The carved woman with pearls for eyes seemed to be staring at him. He closed his eyes and remembered their last conversation.
    You can’t come with me. You have to go to the Lands of Men.
    He tried to force away the words, but she was so hard to ignore. “If it’s what she wants.”
    It is.
    Krishani hung his head. He glanced back at the trees towards Orlondir, guilt and regret eating away at him. I can never return, he realized. What Mallorn said was true. Istar wanted Krishani to leave without saying goodbye to Kaliel, wanted him to renounce his love and answer his calling as the Ferryman.
    He looked back at the boat and sighed. “I never thought I would leave Avristar without you.”
    “I suppose that means you’re ready to go?” Mallorn said from the trees.
    Krishani turned to him and gulped, surprised by his presence. He frowned, wanting to be angry with the old man, but headed towards the cabin. “It was the last thing she wanted me to do,” he grumbled.
    • • •
    Mallorn was in the cellar too long. Krishani sat on the mound, chilly night air against his face. He wanted to tell Mallorn he would never be ready to go to the Lands of Men, but it was too late. Mallorn was packing, and he was content to leave the logistics up to the old man. He had no idea where on Terra the Tavesin family was, or how they would arrive. Another gust of wind blew across the mound, ruffling Krishani’s cloak. He hugged it to his shoulders, cursing his lanky frame, and looked at the sky above the trees. He wondered if Avristar would ever be perfect. He had to relinquish those thoughts. It was no longer his concern.
    “I need you down here, boy,” Mallorn called.
    Krishani heaved a sigh and followed the old man down the ladder. The cellar was lit by a single torch, shadows flickering against the walls. Another scroll stretched out along the wooden table, showing an island larger than Avristar, and far more foreboding.
    “This island sits to the North of Avristar, but the Tavesin Castle is on the opposite shore.” Mallorn pointed at a part of the map, but Krishani yawned.
    “Why does it matter?”
    Mallorn cleared his throat. “The Lands of Men are different.”
    Krishani looked at the map and frowned. “How do you mean Avristar is to the south of