Chapter 8 –
Devi dragged her tired muscles into the castle after Erika suddenly abandoned their sparring match. An odd bird, with long talons and giant wings, a small head and beak, had arrived with a letter. Erika claimed it was from Mason, so she needed to report to Valko immediately. Devi felt foolish to have ever considered Erika would have feelings for Valko, when she and Mason shared such an obvious spark. He had been gone for about six months, since Valko sent him to a location that might house the sleeping earth element. Devi was hopeful the letter from Mason was good news but that was none of her business.
Starvation interrupted her thoughts. Her stomach did not growl or ache, but roared angrily and stabbed her with sharp pains as revenge for skipping lunch, a routine that made them both unhappy. Her muscles did not whine, but begged for rest. Her training was intense, and she always learned something new. It was hard to imagine time went by so quickly that in a week she would be ten years old. Just as she approached the large swinging door to the kitchen on the right side of the grand hall, she heard Erika call her name.
“Devi!” she shouted. Devi’s eyes dropped to the floor. She swallowed her tears away before meeting eyes with her mentor. “Valko needs to see you. It’s urgent.” Before Devi could reply, Erika turned and took her by the wrist. The pace was faster than Devi would have liked but the map room was not far. They entered the first door down the left corridor. Erika immediately exited the room and closed the door delicately behind her.
The burden of hunger and pain lifted from Devi’s body to be replaced by excitement that spilled out from her every pore. She lowered herself to one knee and bowed her head in respect for her king. Their last meeting was so long ago, but she recalled it as if only one day had passed and it had been in that very room. She still remembered the admiration and fear he inspired in her. When Valko ordered her to rise, she did so gracefully. No matter how much her muscles fought her she would not let the fatigue show, especially while in front of him. Devi avoided direct contact with his eyes as best she could. She noticed the crude map unfurled on the table between them, that he wore his red cloak, with the hood back like it was a regal cape. The familiar electrifying sensations she felt when he was near happened again, but somehow different this time. Perhaps she learned to understand the impulses, or they were more intense.
Valko inspected Devi with a critical gaze. She was certainly growing in the ways of a warrior, but time would tell the full outcome of her training. He could sense her energy and eagerness the moment she stepped into the room. He waited for her to speak while he paced a couple steps to the left and right on the opposite side of the table. Every warrior trained for his army knew not to speak first when in his presence. Devi stood straight and remained silent. “Erika says you are progressing quickly in your training,” he stated in a matter-of-fact tone.
“Thank you, sire. I train every day to meet your expectations,” Devi replied. She tried to sound tough and confident, but her voice was still young.
Valko smirked. “After going to great lengths to locate the sacred temple protecting the earth element, I finally found it. The temple of earth is located beyond the kingdom of Gaius, which is a long distance from here. We depart tomorrow to collect what awaits there.” He stopped speaking and pacing at the same time to examine Devi’s reaction.
When she realized what he waited for, although confused, she managed a smile. “That is excellent news, your majesty. What can I do to help?”
That was exactly what he wanted to hear. When Valko continued, he also slowly paced again. “I never told you the real reason I requested that your training begin. I need you to play a vital role in fulfilling a wish of mine, a dream even. One in which only four other people know they are involved. You are already aware that Erika has the power to create and control the element of fire. I control lightning. I am searching for and locating the temples of the ancient magic elements to harness them through hosts. Mason will collect earth and Riki will have water. The only one that remains undecided is wind.” He stopped pacing, having walked around the table, and stood directly in front of Devi.
She felt uncomfortable staring into his torso, so she looked straight up to meet his yellow eyes. Her expression of determination faltered. Valko stared right through her as if he interrogating her soul.
Until that moment, Valko forgot how her sparkling sapphire eyes mesmerized him. He placed a hand on her shoulder and said, “You shall be that vessel.”
Devi’s suddenly broad smile caused a grin to flicker over his face. If she blinked, she might have missed it. “It would be an honor,” she said excitedly. She remembered her place and reverted to a more serious tone. “I will continue to work hard to fulfill your request.” She kept a straight face, regardless of her contained excitement.
“Good,” Valko continued and walked to the other side of the table. “I will be accompanying you, Erika, Riki, and Tiara to meet Mason in the province of Gaius.” The happiness in Devi’s eyes vanished. “Go and make sure you are prepared for tomorrow. We leave at first light. I expect you to do well.”
“Yes, sire.” Devi’s expression grew serious to cover her concern at learning Tiara would join them. She bowed, and exited the room calmly. When she turned the corner back to the grand hall, she pumped her fist in the air excitedly.
Kilena Shrelack 