4. Kellian

CHAPTER 4

Kellian

T here was a naked woman on the other side of the wall from where Kellian sat and that fact was repeating in his mind. A woman whose eyes alone had made his feet falter and his heart pause, like something deep in his soul recognized her. The Hollow was a hidden realm, safeguarded by an array of powerful spells that kept its borders secure from intruders. Only the Dragons ventured across these boundaries, soaring high above the land. The inhabitants of the Hollow were deeply committed to their land, their families having upheld a centuries-old promise to nurture and protect it.

Kellian raked a hand through his hair and let himself fall back on his bed with a groan. What was to be done about the girl with hair the color of a sunset simply arriving on their land, and now living in the room next to him. A knock on the door shook Kellian out of his thoughts. He rose and walked to the door, opening it slightly. A flash of dark hair flew by him after pushing the door open and slipping past him into his room.

Esmeralda. She stood tall for her little frame, nearly as strong-willed as his sister, Aura, but not nearly as terrifying. Her brown eyes bore into his. Her dark, curly hair framed her face in a wild, untamed halo, and her maroon dress and robes added a touch of regal elegance to her otherwise disheveled appearance. She stood with her hands on her hips.

"The magic let in someone from the outside." She looked like millions of equations were calculating in her mind. Kellian nodded.

"I felt it, right away. At the easternmost border on the Evanthian side. She was clearly distressed. I could feel the spell accept her." She shook her head and paced in front of the hearth. Kellian let his tired body slump into one of the chairs in front of the hearth. A deep olive velvet and massive chair, a matching one next to it, both propped in front of the hearth.

"Esmie," Kellian tried to interrupt her but she kept going.

"This shouldn't have happened, until today it shouldn't have been possible. I read through the scrolls, the ancient spells and findings, even the Book of Niem. Nothing. Kellian, nothing." She stopped pacing and faced him. The fire from the hearth that was burning bright was shimmering behind her, and her shadowed shape looked rather intimidating for her only being half his age and size. He simply cracked a smile.

"Didn't know of any spells that could stump you, Esmie."

"Oh shut it." She glared and let herself fall into the chair next to Kellian's.

"Respectfully…" she started and gazed into the fire instead of at the friend she'd known all her life. "What the fuck," she finished, and was met with a deep rumble of laughter from Kellian. As if the stress and anticipation of the last two days burned right off of him.

"What's she like?" Emeralda looked to him again, their eyes meeting and her shining with curiosity.

"She has magic, the trees, the wind, the earth itself seems to listen to her."

Esmeralda sat back, eyes aglow in awe. "She's Fae?" she asked. Kellian nodded again.

"And how did she get here, how has she survived?"

Kellian filled her in on what he knew, that Kyeria was brought over to fight in the war at a young age, and was left here alone, her kind hated and none left alive on the continent, the rest retreating to their island, and her left behind in an unknown land. That Kyeria came through the border where the spells lay, unharmed; as if the magic of this land knew her and accepted her. That she then went back out and saved an egg, a Venille egg that had been past the shrinking borders. And lastly, that Fendiah had then offered her safe passage, guided by a sprite to the lake and waited for Kellian to arrive. Once he had, the shadow beast Aura had been tracking and how Kyeria had saved them and about her magic.

"And she is to stay here?" Esmeralda questioned when he was finished.

"Fendiah has already declared it. In the castle, and that she is to be kept safe."

Emeralda simply nodded, letting the information sink in. "If she possessed magic and the gift, she might be useful with the borders."

Kellian looked to Esmie in interest, nodding. It was something he could ask after she was settled in.

Esmeralda went into discussing some new research with him,pulling out some papers and a book, pointing out weak areas on the map. They walked to the library together to do more research.

Esmeralda was the last of the winter witches, from a long line that served the crown faithfully. While Kellian himself possessed no magic, he found great interest in the history of magic and the skies and stars. He could spend hours in his tower, surrounded by looking glasses that stared into the night sky and piles of books, maps , and new charted stars from his own travels. Esmeralda was a healer. It was rare for anyone from The Hollow to possess magic other than the witches, which were dwindling down to just Esmeralda herself. Her grandmother passed not but a few years ago after dutifully advising and helping to protect The Hollow, the forest, and the mountains. Esmie learned as much as she could in the time given to her, but the magical borders began receding only within this decade, her grandmother had not finished her research or practices on the border magic before her own health declined. She was far too young to have the burden of protecting The Hollow in terms of magic, but she was the only one who could.

By dawn, Kellian had realized they'd been huddled over research all night in the dimly lit library. He rose to stretch his limbs. Esmeralda was deep in the oldest sections of magic-related books. The library was a vast cavern under the castle, spanning below a few levels, with an endless supply of books on histories, magics, and lore littering the shelves, as well as some modern literature brought by their own people who had gone out on their own travels. Only a small number of people from The Hollow ever ventured past the wards protecting this land. The magic happily accepted them back within its protection when they returned.

Emeralda was sitting on a bench covered in furs for comfort, her dark curls now pulled in all directions, falling over her shoulders loosely. Her robes, thick to fight the cold of the underground library, billowed around her. Kellian knew she could be down here for days, forgetting the necessities of eating and seeing daylight, her mind wrapped in the words of their ancestors.

"Enough for today," Kellian announced, snapping his book closed. Her head popped up, eyes glossy from the trance she had been in. Esmie had described before that her mind seemed to completely jump into what she was reading and play it in her mind like it was happening in front of her. Kellian never knew if it was a part of her deeply rooted magic or just how she experienced the world.

"I suppose," Eseralda sighed. She set down the book gently next to her and rose, her deep red skirts draping around her. She tugged at the dark robes around her as if suddenly feeling the great chill of the libraries. They parted ways, both agreeing to meet in the dining hall.

Kellian returned outside Kyeria's door, just next to his own. He wore a fresh linen shirt and wool trousers, his hair damp and pulled loosely half into a bun to keep out of his face. He let out a sigh, preparing himself, and raised his hand to knock. But when he expected his knuckles to wrap on the wooden door, they only met air.

The door had swung open, Kyeria looking up at him. She wore a black dress that draped over her shoulders and hung loosely. Her hair was loose, waterfalling down behind her shoulders. Kyeria had been stunning when he first saw her, all bright haired and half-covered in dirt as she was, but beautiful nonetheless. But as he looked at her now, at how beautiful she was, a painful feeling ripped through his chest. He did his best to shake it off as Kyeria looked at him, eyes round and questioning as he stood in the doorway forgetting how to form words.

"Would you like to join us for dinner?" he asked, his voice hoarse. Gods, why was he struggling to string together a sentence in front of her.

"Or I can have food sent up to you if you prefer…" he paused again and added softly, "I understand this can be a lot to take in." Her eyes softened and creased as she smiled.

"You mean the entire kingdom no one knows exists and is protected by a magical barrier that doesn't allow anyone in except, apparently, me." Kyeria replied, Kellian could only nod, offering a smile in return. What was he supposed to say?

"Well I am dressed for the occasion, so lead the way, prince ." Kyeria smiled brightly but not with her eyes. Her smile was forced, like she was sizing up a potential predator.

"You'll meet Esmeralda at dinner. She's family, in a way," Kellian explained as they walked. Kyeria fell into step with him. He trained his eyes forward.

"Anyone else?" She asked looking curious.

"Aura."

"Your sister."

Kellian nodded, "Yes."

"Has she always possessed magic?" Kyeria asked. Kellian smiled.

"No, she was very sick as a child, and our parents traveled outside of The Hollow to find a cure. They returned with the nectar of a special flower, one so rare it had only really been told of in our histories but not seen. It possessed a drop of magic from the Gods and could heal any illness."

"So she has god's blood?" Kyeria gasped. Kellian smirked at her awestruck face.

"In a way. She has the ability to use light, bend it almost. We don't entirely understand it since it is not common to have that kind of magic in The Hollow."

They rounded the corner to a hallway filled with gold speckled columns and grand doors. Passing through them they stepped into a hall with tall mirrors on the walls opposite entrances to balconies and windows flanked by rich drapes. Kellian paused at a smaller redwood door and held it open. Inside was a hearth, a few large wooden tables, and chandeliers hanging filled with lit candles. Aura and Esmeralda sat at a set table, filled with food. Their smiles were bright, sharing something with each other, when Aura turned and beamed at Kyeria.

"There she is!" She walked over to Kellian and Kyeria, Esmeralda following with a soft smile.

"This is our new friend, Kyeria." She motioned to Esmie, "This is Esmeralda, our resident witch!"

"Hello," Kyeria's voice seemed small. Kellian looked at her in surprise. While Kyeria was kind, she had a fiery spirit and it was shocking to see her making herself small. But he assumed it was in part to how young Esmie was. Esmeralda gave a cautious smile.

"Pleased to meet you," she replied.

They sat and began their meal, Aura talking animatedly about the shadow beast, Esmeralda speaking up to correct facts and share her own knowledge. Kyeria listened closely, her eyes shining with intrigue. She seemed comfortable with the women, even offering up her own thoughts. Aura explained that she had been tracking the beast for months, and Esmeralda shared how she thought the beast was ‘eating' magic and therefore draining the magic borders. Kellian sat back, drinking his wine, observing them and their harmonic manner.

"Where will the little hatching be taken?" Kyeria asked, referring to the egg that she had rescued. Aura seemed to fully trust Kyeria, she had a great sense about these things, which put Kellian at ease as well. Anyone who chose to save a Dragon egg from raiders deserved his trust.

"We have ancient caves here under the castle, where the eggs are kept."

"The magic is strongest here at the center of The Hollow," Esmeralda explained. Kyeria nodded.

"Yes, I can feel that." She smiled. Esmeralda's eyes glowed with delight.

"You can sense magic?" she asked. Kyeria nodded. "Your magic is blessed from Luna?" Esmeralda continued, met with another nod from Kyeria. The Goddess Luna was the Goddess of the earth, also called The Mother of all nature by some. She blessed the land and could also curse the lands, make them prosperous or barren. Kellian had seen the barren lands of the continent cursed by the goddess, and he wished that fate on no one. There was no wrath like that of a goddess.

"Can you sense mine?" Aura asked, delighted at the possibility, pulling Kellian's attention back to the women.

"I can sense a magical essence but it is very different from how magic usually presents." Kyeria shook her head. "But I am mostly familiar with the magic of Luna, not of the Old Gods."

The three went on talking, the conversation flowing, at ease with each other. Aura was obviously pleased to have another female around.

Kellian sat back and let his mind wander. He wondered what the world was like beyond The Hollow. It had been some time since his last visit to the far lands—he was needed here. They had sent scouts every few months, the last group headed east to Evanthia. Their brutality was growing under the current king, and Kellian knew another war was brimming between Evanthia and the Kingdom of Lorienne to the south. He wondered when the next great war would be and if that would be the one to push The Hollow out of secrecy, forcing them to protect their land and their magic. But that fate was decided by the Dragons—a complicated string of rules and traditions.

Kellian turned back into the conversation as Esmeralda reached out, swiping a thumb over a cut on Kyeria's shoulder, healing it. Kyeria beamed.

"My mother was a healer," Kyeria's eyes creased, a real and true smile there, but sadness lingered in her eyes. Esmie reached out a hand and laid it over Kyeria's in understanding. Esmeralda's own parents had left this land to assist in the great war. Any in The Hollow were free to leave, only bound to never speak of this sacred land. Some chose to not stay in safety but go and help in the war. Many witches aided the Fae. Most did not return.

"My family, we are all healers at our core, the winter witch's legacy is to protect and care for those in need." She smiled sadly, her eyes glistened. "My parents left The Hollow to aid your people." Kyeria's eyes widened. "I was very young, put in the care of my grandmother, but many witches from other lineages left as well." Her eyes flickered to Kellian's. He simply nodded. Aura's eyes were downcast.

"We sent aid and helped many return to your lands after the war. The ones close enough for us to get to," Aura added, her eyes flicking up to Kellian as well.

"I heard of this on the northern side of battles," Kyeria said softly.

"Why were you brought to the front?" Aura asked, making Kellian suck in a breath. Such a blunt question to ask someone she hardly knew but Aura said it kindly, her intentions simply of curiosity. It was obvious she greatly liked Kyeria.

"Aura," Kellian warned. Kyeria looked over, meeting his eyes for the first time since they had first sat down.

"It's alright," Kyeria assured them. "I think it is not much to share my story after receiving your protection." Kellian nodded in acceptance and she continued, "Most of my kind are blessed with magic, but that of one magic from one god or Goddess." Aura and Esmie nodded, knowing this of the Fae. "I, however, have two magics. Both from Luna." She smiled at Esmie, "My earth magic is strongest. I can sense living beings connected to the lands. I can grow and decay at will with Her blessing." The group nodded, being familiar with this magic class.

"Luna is also the Goddess of healing," Esmeralda said. Kyria nodded. Kellian and Aura shared a glance, remembering their encounter with the beast and how Kyeria had stopped Kellian from bleeding out. Kellian felt his body react, remembering how her magic swept over him on the forest floor that day.

"It was possible but very rare among our people to have two classes of magic. Only certain lineages experienced it, normally much higher in power. We were a family of simple merchants, not of any power or royalty. But my parents served to protect the land and it was our duty to fight in the war, and my two magics were too invaluable to be left on the homeland."

Kellian's heart clenched and he spoke for the first time then, "You were a child." His eyes searched hers. Gold and green collided.

"It was an honor to serve," Kyeria whispered back. She seemed tired now, like reliving her history had drained her. Kellian stood, making everyone look at him.

"It is late, we should retire," he announced. Aura and Esmie stood nodding and whispered their goodnights to Kyeria, thanking her for sharing her story.

"I will walk you to your room." Kellian held out his arm to Kyeria. She simply slid her own hand into his awaiting arm.

"It is brave to share your story with people you hardly know," he said as they walked into the hall. There was no judgment or harshness to his voice, only true and honest thought.

"I have been on the run for ten years. I have not been able to trust anyone since I was on my island." She looked out towards the windows as they passed them. The sun had set and the moon was high in the sky.

"But my magic, I can sense intention, the air shifts. And you…" she trailed off. "Esmeralda and Aura are good." She said it simply, as a statement she was sure of.

"Can you tell when people lie?" he asked.

Kyeria let out a small laugh. "No it is not like that, but my magic recognizes magic and can sense its trueness or good intent. You all have a type of magic, this whole land is teeming with it. And it is honest and true in nature," she said with certainty. "And you are the first people to not want to kill me as soon as you knew me for Fae." She looked up to Kellian. Her eyes gleamed, the light of the moon shone off her red flecked hair. Kellian again was at a loss for words as her beauty washed over him in this striking and severe way.

"I have never wished to be deceitful about my life, but in order to survive I had to conceal who and what I am." She looked back outside. "But you…all of you, seem rather unbothered by my kind and my magic." She paused and took a stealing breath. "I would like to help, or work, in any way I can. Fendiah has offered me safety, something I have rarely known, and for that I am eternally grateful for and I intend to earn my keep here."

"You need not work. If Fendiah declared you live here and be protected then it will be. You saved us an invaluable heir to one of the most powerful Dragon families, you have earned your keep and then some," Kellian replied. They rounded another corner, Kellian could see the matching dark wooden doors of his own and Kyeria's from where they were.

"But I would like to, I might be able to help with the borders. I recognized its magic when I walked through. I think it is similar to my own."

"In what way?"

"From Luna herself. I asked her for passage and she granted it to me. I turned back for the hatchling and when I entered again, the magic there—whatever deep and ancient spell protects these lands—it hummed a song, one from old tales said in the Fae Lands." Kellian let that information wash over him.

"Do you have a library?" she asked. "I would love to see if there are connections between the Fae lands and their tales and of this Hollow."

"We can go tomorrow. At first light, meet me here and we will go to the hatchlings first, then the library. Esmie would love to show you around there and push me out of the way. I have some things to attend to later in the day so she can help you look for anything you might need."

Kyeria let her hand slip from his arm, her fingers brushing his exposed skin sending a shiver through him.

"I'll see you at dawn then," Kyeria replied before walking to her door and muttering a "Goodnight Kellian," and Kellian's own heart stuttered at his name on her lips. She hadn't before used his given name, and those letters on her lips shot electricity through his veins.